What do you think?
A Sea of Salt & Ruin
This is a dark tale of pirates and mermaids. Proceed with caution.
Captain Kael Thorne is dying.
Cursed by a sea witch whose heart he stole, his own heart is fused with stone. With every passing day, the petrification spreads.
His only relief comes from Andrina, a mer princess he tore from the sea. Her magic can soothe the agony of the curse, but she is also the only one capable of stopping it; if they can bear the cost.
Bound together by desperation, Kael and Andrina find themselves caught between hunger and hatred. Every stolen touch and whispered confession pulls them deeper into forbidden waters.
But curses are not broken without blood.
As old betrayals surface and the sea itself seems determined to tear them apart, Kael is forced to choose between the lives of his crew and the only person who has made the curse bearable. Andrina must decide how much of herself she is willing to surrender for a man she should despise.
Because some loves are not meant to save you.
Some are meant to drown you.
Captain Kael Thorne is dying.
Cursed by a sea witch whose heart he stole, his own heart is fused with stone. With every passing day, the petrification spreads.
His only relief comes from Andrina, a mer princess he tore from the sea. Her magic can soothe the agony of the curse, but she is also the only one capable of stopping it; if they can bear the cost.
Bound together by desperation, Kael and Andrina find themselves caught between hunger and hatred. Every stolen touch and whispered confession pulls them deeper into forbidden waters.
But curses are not broken without blood.
As old betrayals surface and the sea itself seems determined to tear them apart, Kael is forced to choose between the lives of his crew and the only person who has made the curse bearable. Andrina must decide how much of herself she is willing to surrender for a man she should despise.
Because some loves are not meant to save you.
Some are meant to drown you.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2026
About the author
Lilith Crowe
3 books39 followersHey, hi, hellloooo! I'm Lilith - a dark romance author from Pennsylvania!
I write all things dark and steamy (contemporary, sports, sapphic, fantasy, paranormal, thriller, etc.) Dabbling in a little bit of everything so there's a little something for everyone!
Look around my titles and see if anything strikes your fancy! Writing is something I enjoy doing in my spare time, so make sure to give me a follow - tons of titles will be flooding Goodreads with my name on the cover.
I write all things dark and steamy (contemporary, sports, sapphic, fantasy, paranormal, thriller, etc.) Dabbling in a little bit of everything so there's a little something for everyone!
Look around my titles and see if anything strikes your fancy! Writing is something I enjoy doing in my spare time, so make sure to give me a follow - tons of titles will be flooding Goodreads with my name on the cover.
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August 25, 2026Since I wrote it, I'm unable to leave a rating, but OKAY! Let's get into this!
Do you like Pirates of the Caribbean? The Little Mermaid? What if I took those two stories, combined them, and made it dark and spicy? Well, let me introduce you to A Sea of Salt & Ruin!
He is the monster. She is the cure.
💀💀💀💀💀TRIGGERS💀💀💀💀💀💀
Non-Con/Dub-Con
Consensual Non-Con
Kidnapping
Animal Cruelty (fictional animals)
Forced Proximity
Shackles
Forced Tattooing/Skin Sewing
Alcohol Use
Profanity
Bodily Fluids
Death of a Loved One
Loss of a Pet
Hostage/Captive Situation
Weapon Violence
Explicit Sex Scenes
Suicide (mention of)
Scars
Using Odd Objects for Pleasure
Physical assault
Attempted Murder
…and other sensitive and mature subject matter.
Still here? Awesome! Add it to your TBR! Releasing August 28, 2026! 💋
Do you like Pirates of the Caribbean? The Little Mermaid? What if I took those two stories, combined them, and made it dark and spicy? Well, let me introduce you to A Sea of Salt & Ruin!
He is the monster. She is the cure.
💀💀💀💀💀TRIGGERS💀💀💀💀💀💀
Non-Con/Dub-Con
Consensual Non-Con
Kidnapping
Animal Cruelty (fictional animals)
Forced Proximity
Shackles
Forced Tattooing/Skin Sewing
Alcohol Use
Profanity
Bodily Fluids
Death of a Loved One
Loss of a Pet
Hostage/Captive Situation
Weapon Violence
Explicit Sex Scenes
Suicide (mention of)
Scars
Using Odd Objects for Pleasure
Physical assault
Attempted Murder
…and other sensitive and mature subject matter.
Still here? Awesome! Add it to your TBR! Releasing August 28, 2026! 💋
August 27, 2026
**Dark, chaotic, funny, and completely addictive**
*A Sea of Salt & Ruin* is definitely not a light romance, and it isn't going to be a book for everyone, but I think that is part of what makes it work. Lilith Crowe tells you exactly what kind of story you're getting into, and then commits to it.
What surprised me most was how much personality there was underneath all of the darkness. Kael and Andrina are both complicated, stubborn characters who make questionable decisions, and their relationship starts in about the worst way imaginable. Watching that relationship change as the story progresses was one of the things that kept me reading. Andrina especially never felt like a helpless princess waiting for someone else to save her. She is angry, intelligent, sarcastic, powerful, and very capable of making her own choices.
I also genuinely loved the crew of the Sea Curse. They brought some much-needed humor into a story that could otherwise have become overwhelmingly dark. Stitches, Gull, Jib, Barnacle, the Twins, and even the ridiculous albatross gave the book a strange found-family quality that I wasn't expecting.
The world itself was another highlight. Cursed pirates, mermaid kingdoms, sea witches, strange magic, dangerous creatures, political alliances, and a ship literally powered by suffering made this feel like its own twisted maritime fantasy rather than simply a familiar pirate-and-mermaid story with different names.
There are some very dark and explicit scenes here, so I would absolutely recommend reading the trigger warnings first. This book doesn't shy away from morally gray characters, violence, captivity, or complicated consent. But for readers who enjoy dark fantasy romance and know what they're walking into, this is one wild, imaginative ride.
By the end, I wasn't just invested in Kael and Andrina. I was invested in this bizarre, damaged little pirate crew and wanted to know what happened to all of them. And I think that's probably the best compliment I can give a book.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this one!!
*A Sea of Salt & Ruin* is definitely not a light romance, and it isn't going to be a book for everyone, but I think that is part of what makes it work. Lilith Crowe tells you exactly what kind of story you're getting into, and then commits to it.
What surprised me most was how much personality there was underneath all of the darkness. Kael and Andrina are both complicated, stubborn characters who make questionable decisions, and their relationship starts in about the worst way imaginable. Watching that relationship change as the story progresses was one of the things that kept me reading. Andrina especially never felt like a helpless princess waiting for someone else to save her. She is angry, intelligent, sarcastic, powerful, and very capable of making her own choices.
I also genuinely loved the crew of the Sea Curse. They brought some much-needed humor into a story that could otherwise have become overwhelmingly dark. Stitches, Gull, Jib, Barnacle, the Twins, and even the ridiculous albatross gave the book a strange found-family quality that I wasn't expecting.
The world itself was another highlight. Cursed pirates, mermaid kingdoms, sea witches, strange magic, dangerous creatures, political alliances, and a ship literally powered by suffering made this feel like its own twisted maritime fantasy rather than simply a familiar pirate-and-mermaid story with different names.
There are some very dark and explicit scenes here, so I would absolutely recommend reading the trigger warnings first. This book doesn't shy away from morally gray characters, violence, captivity, or complicated consent. But for readers who enjoy dark fantasy romance and know what they're walking into, this is one wild, imaginative ride.
By the end, I wasn't just invested in Kael and Andrina. I was invested in this bizarre, damaged little pirate crew and wanted to know what happened to all of them. And I think that's probably the best compliment I can give a book.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this one!!
August 27, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. Hell yeah what a ride!! Definitely Pirates of the Caribbean and Little Mermaid vibes yes please!! Absolutely loved the story line!! I devoured this book it was absolutely phenomenal!! Loved how Kael and Andrina came together and able to work together even with their dark past!! They are both morally grey and loved it and the ending phew 😮💨!! Lilith you definitely did it again chefs kiss!! Can’t wait to see what you have in stored for us next!!
“A dark tale of pirates and mermaids. Proceed with caution.
Captain Kael Thorne is dying.
Cursed by a sea witch whose heart he stole, his own heart is fused with stone. With every passing day, the petrification spreads.
His only relief comes from Andrina, a Mer princess he tore from the sea. Her magic can soothe the agony of the curse, but she is also the only one capable of stopping it; if they can bear the cost.
Bound together by desperation, Kael and Andrina find themselves caught between hunger and hatred. Every stolen touch and whispered confession pulls them deeper into forbidden waters.
But curses are not broken without blood.
As old betrayals surface and the sea itself seems determined to tear them apart, Kael is forced to choose between the lives of his crew and the only person who has made the curse bearable. Andrina must decide how much of herself she is willing to surrender for a man she should despise.
Because some loves are not meant to save you.
Some are meant to drown you.”
“A dark tale of pirates and mermaids. Proceed with caution.
Captain Kael Thorne is dying.
Cursed by a sea witch whose heart he stole, his own heart is fused with stone. With every passing day, the petrification spreads.
His only relief comes from Andrina, a Mer princess he tore from the sea. Her magic can soothe the agony of the curse, but she is also the only one capable of stopping it; if they can bear the cost.
Bound together by desperation, Kael and Andrina find themselves caught between hunger and hatred. Every stolen touch and whispered confession pulls them deeper into forbidden waters.
But curses are not broken without blood.
As old betrayals surface and the sea itself seems determined to tear them apart, Kael is forced to choose between the lives of his crew and the only person who has made the curse bearable. Andrina must decide how much of herself she is willing to surrender for a man she should despise.
Because some loves are not meant to save you.
Some are meant to drown you.”
August 28, 2026
Absolutely stunning. I loved Kael and his whole moody, tortured thing he's got going on. Andrina was refreshing as an FMC - too often we see female leads that are either super simpy (which I personally don't like), or they are stubborn purely for the sake of being contrarion and it can border on childish or spiteful. Andi was none of those things - she was indignant, confident, sharp-tongued and witty, and she absolutely hit the mark. Lilith's writing is beautiful. She really has a way with words - I knew from her previous pen name how talented she was, but it still surprised me regardless how she manages to perfectly describe the scene or craft a stunning quote or metaphor. I highlighted so many passages and enjoyed the prose so much, it was sometimes poetic.
The death of one particular character devastated me and I think the surrounding scene was written beautifully. It was a stunning tribute and I had full body chills throughout the chapter. I really enjoyed the evolution of Kael & Andrina's relationship and how they slowly realised how much they meant to each other, rather than rushing it. When the crew reached their destination I was literally on the edge of my seat, but the surrounding chapters were so informative whilst also being so well written. I could go on for miles about this book, but overall, I truly think it is something special and I'm so grateful I got to read it in its early stages. Congratulations Lilith, this book is fantastic!
The death of one particular character devastated me and I think the surrounding scene was written beautifully. It was a stunning tribute and I had full body chills throughout the chapter. I really enjoyed the evolution of Kael & Andrina's relationship and how they slowly realised how much they meant to each other, rather than rushing it. When the crew reached their destination I was literally on the edge of my seat, but the surrounding chapters were so informative whilst also being so well written. I could go on for miles about this book, but overall, I truly think it is something special and I'm so grateful I got to read it in its early stages. Congratulations Lilith, this book is fantastic!
September 11, 2026
Drowned in Salt, Ruin, Obsession, & Absolutely Devoured!
This book completely pulled me under, and honestly? I had no intention of fighting my way back to shore.
Absolutely no regrets!!
A Sea of Salt & Ruin had everything I want in a dark, atmospheric fantasy: danger, tension, secrets, morally questionable characters, and that delicious feeling that absolutely NOTHING is as simple as it seems. The atmosphere was everything, and the darker edge of the story had me completely locked in.
The world-building, the twists, the high-stakes moments, and the chemistry had me turning pages like I was personally being chased!
Every time I thought I had a handle on where things were going, the story found another way to drag me deeper into the chaos.
And the romance? CHEF'S KISS!!
The tension was there, the chemistry was there, and the characters had me invested in every single interaction. Give me characters with questionable morals, complicated motives, and enough secrets to keep me suspicious of everyone in the room, and I am SOLD!
This was atmospheric, dark, addictive, and exactly the kind of read that makes you say “just one more chapter” while fully knowing you are lying to yourself.
Another 5-star read for me!
Lilith Crowe really said Come for the fantasy, stay for the chaos, and apparently I had no choice but to obey!
This book completely pulled me under, and honestly? I had no intention of fighting my way back to shore.
Absolutely no regrets!!
A Sea of Salt & Ruin had everything I want in a dark, atmospheric fantasy: danger, tension, secrets, morally questionable characters, and that delicious feeling that absolutely NOTHING is as simple as it seems. The atmosphere was everything, and the darker edge of the story had me completely locked in.
The world-building, the twists, the high-stakes moments, and the chemistry had me turning pages like I was personally being chased!
Every time I thought I had a handle on where things were going, the story found another way to drag me deeper into the chaos.
And the romance? CHEF'S KISS!!
The tension was there, the chemistry was there, and the characters had me invested in every single interaction. Give me characters with questionable morals, complicated motives, and enough secrets to keep me suspicious of everyone in the room, and I am SOLD!
This was atmospheric, dark, addictive, and exactly the kind of read that makes you say “just one more chapter” while fully knowing you are lying to yourself.
Another 5-star read for me!
Lilith Crowe really said Come for the fantasy, stay for the chaos, and apparently I had no choice but to obey!
August 22, 2026
This story immediately pulled me in and gave me Pirates of the Caribbean/Little Mermaid vibes, and I am here for it! Kael and Andrina are both morally grey and both have dark stories in their past. I loved how they learned to work together. The crew is amazing, and I love the found family aspect that the author added to this story! The ending had me crying happy tears, and I will leave it at that as not to spoil the ending, but let me tell you I loved this story! I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next!
August 28, 2026
4.5*
I received an arc of A Sea of Salt and Ruin from the author.
Enemies to lovers in the best way, and morally grey characters with personal growth. This is little mermaid with pirates of the Caribbean, Kael is a cursed pirate captain and Andrina is a mer princess that he captures while she is on her way for an arranged marriage. Andrina is a strong, capable and sarcastic fmc which is refreshing. I loved the found family with the crew and the atmosphere of this world. So if you love some enemies to lovers with mermaids, pirates, witches and curses I suggest picking this up!
I received an arc of A Sea of Salt and Ruin from the author.
Enemies to lovers in the best way, and morally grey characters with personal growth. This is little mermaid with pirates of the Caribbean, Kael is a cursed pirate captain and Andrina is a mer princess that he captures while she is on her way for an arranged marriage. Andrina is a strong, capable and sarcastic fmc which is refreshing. I loved the found family with the crew and the atmosphere of this world. So if you love some enemies to lovers with mermaids, pirates, witches and curses I suggest picking this up!
August 31, 2026
Pirates of the Caribbean with a Little Mermaid twist... Make it dark...yes please!
Are you a sucker for Jack Sparrow? Add a mermaid that is sassy and is tired of everyone using her against her will.
Kael has been cursed for attempting to save the person he loved most...
Andrina is being sent off to marry the prince in hopes of uniting the two Mer-kingdoms... when a pirate intervenes.
Only a mermaid can break the curse, but will the mermaid also break the man?
This tail of a tale puts you through it.
Check those warnings given at the beginning of the story, as this is a dark retelling.
Are you a sucker for Jack Sparrow? Add a mermaid that is sassy and is tired of everyone using her against her will.
Kael has been cursed for attempting to save the person he loved most...
Andrina is being sent off to marry the prince in hopes of uniting the two Mer-kingdoms... when a pirate intervenes.
Only a mermaid can break the curse, but will the mermaid also break the man?
This tail of a tale puts you through it.
Check those warnings given at the beginning of the story, as this is a dark retelling.
August 28, 2026
I could not put this book down! The details in the characters were so amazing! Kael is your grumpy, stone cold captain with a heavy past. And Andrina??? A super fiesty mermaid who won’t take any crap from anyone. The whole crew was written beautifully and the family they created with the crew is amazing. The details in this story are immaculate and you really feel like you’re on the Sea Curse with them. The ending had me in tears! 💚
August 31, 2026
Okayyy, this book was such a ride!! 😍 I went into it not really knowing what to expect, and I ended up absolutely devouring it.
I was getting major Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Little Mermaid vibes, but with a much darker fantasy twist, and I was HERE FOR IT. The whole concept was so much fun, and I loved the atmosphere and storyline. And that ending?! I definitely need to know what happens next because I am not okay!
I was getting major Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Little Mermaid vibes, but with a much darker fantasy twist, and I was HERE FOR IT. The whole concept was so much fun, and I loved the atmosphere and storyline. And that ending?! I definitely need to know what happens next because I am not okay!
September 11, 2026
If you love dark romance, pirates, mermaids, magic, and plenty of spice, A Sea of Salt & Ruin is definitely worth picking up!
I really enjoyed Andrina’s character—she’s strong, smart, and definitely not the helpless heroine. The relationship between her and Kael starts out dark and complicated, but watching their dynamic develop into something deeper was one of my favorite parts.
There’s plenty of action, sea magic, danger, morally gray characters, and some seriously spicy scenes. The found-family feeling with the crew also added some fun moments between all the darker parts.
Overall, this was a fun, dark, spicy pirate romantasy with a satisfying ending. If that sounds like your kind of book, give it a try.
I really enjoyed Andrina’s character—she’s strong, smart, and definitely not the helpless heroine. The relationship between her and Kael starts out dark and complicated, but watching their dynamic develop into something deeper was one of my favorite parts.
There’s plenty of action, sea magic, danger, morally gray characters, and some seriously spicy scenes. The found-family feeling with the crew also added some fun moments between all the darker parts.
Overall, this was a fun, dark, spicy pirate romantasy with a satisfying ending. If that sounds like your kind of book, give it a try.
August 28, 2026
Once I started this book I couldn’t put it down! Pirates, mermaids, sea witches and more is one of my favorite fantasy reads! Add in the darkness of it did NOT disappoint! Check your shopping list(or triggers to some)! I loved how complex and complicated Andrina and Kaela’s characters were! It was such a roller coaster that I was here for!
September 11, 2026
ARC REVIEW.
Had a pleasure to ARC another amazing book by Lilith. As usual, it was phenomenal. 2 morally grey MC, slightly slow burn that hits with a slap once it starts, he punch lines, the characters…. Everything was perfect in my opinion.
Seeing the little mermaid (Andrina) slowly fall for Captain Hook (Kael) was fantastic, starting off hating each other to being trusting and equals (on some level). Seeing the hate slowly turn into passion, comprehension and addiction was thrilling and made everything worth it.
The storytelling of Lilith was superb. At no point did I really think that reading a certain part was “pointless” in the story, every bit of information was being used some way a little further ahead. The story is captivating, firey, spicy and all in all amazing.
Had a pleasure to ARC another amazing book by Lilith. As usual, it was phenomenal. 2 morally grey MC, slightly slow burn that hits with a slap once it starts, he punch lines, the characters…. Everything was perfect in my opinion.
Seeing the little mermaid (Andrina) slowly fall for Captain Hook (Kael) was fantastic, starting off hating each other to being trusting and equals (on some level). Seeing the hate slowly turn into passion, comprehension and addiction was thrilling and made everything worth it.
The storytelling of Lilith was superb. At no point did I really think that reading a certain part was “pointless” in the story, every bit of information was being used some way a little further ahead. The story is captivating, firey, spicy and all in all amazing.
August 23, 2026
Holy wow!! I’m like speechless!! This book was amazing!! I love the story line and the plot of this!! The characters are all amazing!! I can’t even pick a favorite, like wow! The love between the crew plays out in its own!! Definitely an amazing piece of art!!
August 31, 2026
Holy cow!!!! This book had me in a chokehold. I love the dark edginess that the story had. It was dark and spicy. The FMC was strong-willed and stubborn. I loved her. The MMC a broody pirate who didn't let anything stop him. The found family aspect was amazing. I loved this story very much!!!
August 28, 2026
This book was so good. I loved the writing style and the characters. I would recommend this book.
August 28, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5/5 Stars. I just finish this morning on my way to work. Overall, I think the book was great. I love the concept of it and the characters.
3.5/5 Stars. I just finish this morning on my way to work. Overall, I think the book was great. I love the concept of it and the characters.
September 11, 2026
I was blessed with the ARC of this book. This was an amazing read. It had enemies to lovers, and so many twists and turns. Had you laughing one sec, and wanting to cry the next. This book was a great read. Hopefully an audiobook! Imagine how awesome that would sound, duet narration or something. I 100% recommend.
September 11, 2026
This book was amazing! It has some of the tropes we all love, enemies to lovers, morally grey characters, character growth! This book was like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Little Mermaid had a baby 🤭 so good! This is my second arc by this author and her writing is amazing
September 12, 2026
✨️✨️Arc Read✨️✨️
I would give this a 4.5 star read! The characters kept you intrigued and wanting more the whole time. I loved the MMC. If you want a dark romance retelling of the little mermaid I recommend this one! Between the sea witch and the curse the MMC deals with you are drawn right in!
I would give this a 4.5 star read! The characters kept you intrigued and wanting more the whole time. I loved the MMC. If you want a dark romance retelling of the little mermaid I recommend this one! Between the sea witch and the curse the MMC deals with you are drawn right in!
September 6, 2026
Format: e-book
What I thought:
I loved this book, the banter was witty, the characters even the darker ones were likable.
Characters:
I liked the pirate crew characters because the interactions between them was just excellent. My favorite character was Andrina because she wasn't a weak character, she met every challenge and had something badass to say.
Story:
The storyline was compelling, and the dark parts were balanced out by the humor.
Overall:
I would recommend this book because it was a very enjoyable read and while it was dark romance I thoroughly enjoyed each and every scene.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay so… imagine The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean got drunk, made some extremely questionable decisions, and then decided to emotionally damage me.
WELCOME HOME. 😂
This book was basically pirates + mermaids + curses + morally questionable decisions + enemies-to-lovers tension + found family + enough ✨unhinged✨ energy to keep me absolutely glued to the pages.
Kael Thorne is cursed, dying, and apparently thought the best solution to his rapidly deteriorating life was:
✨ kidnapping a mermaid princess ✨
Sir.
That is NOT therapy. 😂
Andrina is absolutely NOT the helpless little mermaid anyone might expect either. This woman has TEETH. Actual metaphorical teeth, emotional teeth, probably physical teeth if you piss her off enough.
Kael himself basically sums up the beginning of this disaster perfectly:
“A mermaid princess. A bride promised to another man.”
And I was immediately like… oh, this is going to be a terrible idea. I’m seated. 🍿
The relationship between Kael and Andrina was EVERYTHING. They start out as captor and captive, and the amount of hostility, bargaining, manipulation, stubbornness and “I hate you but unfortunately I also need you” energy between them had me FERAL.
Andrina especially had me cheering because she refuses to just become someone's convenient little magical battery.
“I am not your utensil. You can’t simply point and name me.”
EXCUSE ME MA'AM. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
And Kael? This man is basically a walking red flag sailing directly into another red flag while carrying emotional baggage the size of the Titanic.
But underneath all that pirate menace is a man who is absolutely wrecked by grief, guilt and the curse eating him alive. Watching him slowly start seeing Andrina as a person rather than a means to an end was one of my favourite parts.
Then there’s the crew. 🥹
FOUND. FAMILY. SUPREMACY.
The crew brought so much humour and heart to this story, and somehow I became emotionally attached to these chaotic pirates while they were all busy surviving curses, witches, sea monsters and their own questionable life choices.
Also, the worldbuilding? 👏🏻
Sea witches. Sirens. Mermaids. Magical curses. Sky Rays. Haunted ships. Revenge. Political marriages. Betrayal.
And apparently we are just casually going to throw a dying celestial creature trapped inside the ship into the mix because apparently these characters haven't suffered enough.
Andrina's reaction to the ship was honestly iconic:
“One prisoner for another. That’s what you call a bargain?”
Girl came aboard and immediately started auditing the pirate operation. 😂
And then the banter.
THE BANTER.
Their dynamic slowly goes from “I will absolutely kill you” to “Fine, we’ll work together” to “Oh no… I actually care about you” and eventually to “Well, shit. We’re in love.”
There were moments where I was genuinely sitting there like:
STOP FALLING IN LOVE.
NO.
YOU ARE BOTH TERRIBLE FOR EACH OTHER.
KEEP GOING. 👀
And then there’s the spice. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Let's just say the tension eventually stops being tension and starts being a full-scale maritime emergency.
The chemistry between these two is 🔥🔥🔥 and the power struggles make it even better.
Because this isn't a romance where one character suddenly loses their personality because they're in love. Andrina remains fiercely independent, Kael remains stubborn and morally questionable, and together they become an even bigger problem for literally everyone around them.
Honestly, my favourite thing may have been watching Andrina go from prisoner to weapon to equal.
And THIS line?
“You are not my captor anymore, Pirate. You are closer to my equal.”
YES. 👏🏻
By the time we reached the final stretch, I was emotionally invested in these two and their crew to an absolutely unreasonable degree.
And the ending?
🥹😭❤️
After everything they endure, watching them find their way to each other and seeing Andrina claim her own freedom and place beside Kael was exactly the kind of payoff I wanted.
Also, the final pirate/princess situation?
I SUPPORT WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S WRONGS. 😂
If you like pirates, mermaids, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, morally grey characters, found family, curses, forbidden romance, banter, spice, revenge, magical chaos and couples who should probably make better decisions but absolutely refuse to…
🏴☠️ ADD. THIS. BOOK. TO. YOUR. TBR. 🧜♀️
Because apparently I, too, am willing to follow a cursed pirate captain and a murderous mermaid princess into the abyss.
No regrets. 🖤
WELCOME HOME. 😂
This book was basically pirates + mermaids + curses + morally questionable decisions + enemies-to-lovers tension + found family + enough ✨unhinged✨ energy to keep me absolutely glued to the pages.
Kael Thorne is cursed, dying, and apparently thought the best solution to his rapidly deteriorating life was:
✨ kidnapping a mermaid princess ✨
Sir.
That is NOT therapy. 😂
Andrina is absolutely NOT the helpless little mermaid anyone might expect either. This woman has TEETH. Actual metaphorical teeth, emotional teeth, probably physical teeth if you piss her off enough.
Kael himself basically sums up the beginning of this disaster perfectly:
“A mermaid princess. A bride promised to another man.”
And I was immediately like… oh, this is going to be a terrible idea. I’m seated. 🍿
The relationship between Kael and Andrina was EVERYTHING. They start out as captor and captive, and the amount of hostility, bargaining, manipulation, stubbornness and “I hate you but unfortunately I also need you” energy between them had me FERAL.
Andrina especially had me cheering because she refuses to just become someone's convenient little magical battery.
“I am not your utensil. You can’t simply point and name me.”
EXCUSE ME MA'AM. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
And Kael? This man is basically a walking red flag sailing directly into another red flag while carrying emotional baggage the size of the Titanic.
But underneath all that pirate menace is a man who is absolutely wrecked by grief, guilt and the curse eating him alive. Watching him slowly start seeing Andrina as a person rather than a means to an end was one of my favourite parts.
Then there’s the crew. 🥹
FOUND. FAMILY. SUPREMACY.
The crew brought so much humour and heart to this story, and somehow I became emotionally attached to these chaotic pirates while they were all busy surviving curses, witches, sea monsters and their own questionable life choices.
Also, the worldbuilding? 👏🏻
Sea witches. Sirens. Mermaids. Magical curses. Sky Rays. Haunted ships. Revenge. Political marriages. Betrayal.
And apparently we are just casually going to throw a dying celestial creature trapped inside the ship into the mix because apparently these characters haven't suffered enough.
Andrina's reaction to the ship was honestly iconic:
“One prisoner for another. That’s what you call a bargain?”
Girl came aboard and immediately started auditing the pirate operation. 😂
And then the banter.
THE BANTER.
Their dynamic slowly goes from “I will absolutely kill you” to “Fine, we’ll work together” to “Oh no… I actually care about you” and eventually to “Well, shit. We’re in love.”
There were moments where I was genuinely sitting there like:
STOP FALLING IN LOVE.
NO.
YOU ARE BOTH TERRIBLE FOR EACH OTHER.
KEEP GOING. 👀
And then there’s the spice. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Let's just say the tension eventually stops being tension and starts being a full-scale maritime emergency.
The chemistry between these two is 🔥🔥🔥 and the power struggles make it even better.
Because this isn't a romance where one character suddenly loses their personality because they're in love. Andrina remains fiercely independent, Kael remains stubborn and morally questionable, and together they become an even bigger problem for literally everyone around them.
Honestly, my favourite thing may have been watching Andrina go from prisoner to weapon to equal.
And THIS line?
“You are not my captor anymore, Pirate. You are closer to my equal.”
YES. 👏🏻
By the time we reached the final stretch, I was emotionally invested in these two and their crew to an absolutely unreasonable degree.
And the ending?
🥹😭❤️
After everything they endure, watching them find their way to each other and seeing Andrina claim her own freedom and place beside Kael was exactly the kind of payoff I wanted.
Also, the final pirate/princess situation?
I SUPPORT WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S WRONGS. 😂
If you like pirates, mermaids, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, morally grey characters, found family, curses, forbidden romance, banter, spice, revenge, magical chaos and couples who should probably make better decisions but absolutely refuse to…
🏴☠️ ADD. THIS. BOOK. TO. YOUR. TBR. 🧜♀️
Because apparently I, too, am willing to follow a cursed pirate captain and a murderous mermaid princess into the abyss.
No regrets. 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had such a fun time with this book! The pirate and mermaid world immediately pulled me in, but it was the characters that really kept me invested. Kael and Andrina are both stubborn, morally gray, and carrying their own baggage, so watching them go from captor and captive to reluctant allies and eventually something much deeper was easily my favorite part.
I especially loved the found family aspect with the crew. They brought so much humor and heart to the story, and by the end I was just as attached to them as I was to Kael and Andrina. There are also some genuinely emotional moments that caught me off guard, especially as the story gets deeper into sacrifice, identity, grief, and what it really means to choose your own freedom.
The world is creative and atmospheric, with sea witches, curses, sirens, dangerous magic, and plenty of morally questionable decisions along the way. I also loved that neither Kael nor Andrina suddenly becomes a completely different person because of their relationship. They challenge each other, make mistakes, and remain a little unhinged together, which honestly made me love them more.
And that ending! After everything these characters go through, getting to see where they end up felt so satisfying and emotional. The crew and found family moments especially got me.
If you like pirates, mermaids, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, found family, morally gray characters, curses, banter, and a romance where both characters can absolutely hold their own, this is definitely one to pick up
I especially loved the found family aspect with the crew. They brought so much humor and heart to the story, and by the end I was just as attached to them as I was to Kael and Andrina. There are also some genuinely emotional moments that caught me off guard, especially as the story gets deeper into sacrifice, identity, grief, and what it really means to choose your own freedom.
The world is creative and atmospheric, with sea witches, curses, sirens, dangerous magic, and plenty of morally questionable decisions along the way. I also loved that neither Kael nor Andrina suddenly becomes a completely different person because of their relationship. They challenge each other, make mistakes, and remain a little unhinged together, which honestly made me love them more.
And that ending! After everything these characters go through, getting to see where they end up felt so satisfying and emotional. The crew and found family moments especially got me.
If you like pirates, mermaids, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, found family, morally gray characters, curses, banter, and a romance where both characters can absolutely hold their own, this is definitely one to pick up
Review of advance copy received from Author
★★★☆☆
A Sea of Salt and Ruin had all the ingredients for a book I should have loved. The premise is interesting, the setting is atmospheric, the prose is descriptive, and the characters are fleshed out. The found family aspect was especially well done, and I really enjoyed the relationships within the group.
Unfortunately, the execution didn’t always live up to the setup.
My biggest issue was the romance. I loved having such a badass FMC, but there were moments when her behavior within the relationship didn’t feel consistent with the character we’d been shown. That said, the spice was very well written, and the chemistry was definitely there.
There were also some continuity and plot issues that pulled me out of the story. Certain conflicts and resolutions felt too convenient, and the motivations behind some of the characters’ decisions were either inconsistent or not developed enough for me to completely buy into them.
There really is a lot to like here. The world and atmosphere were strong, the found family was great, the spice delivered, and the overall premise had a lot of potential. I just wanted the characters’ motivations and relationships to feel as well developed as the world surrounding them.
A solid three stars. Great concept, atmosphere, found family, and spice, but inconsistent character motivations and a frustrating romance kept it from being something I loved.
A Sea of Salt and Ruin had all the ingredients for a book I should have loved. The premise is interesting, the setting is atmospheric, the prose is descriptive, and the characters are fleshed out. The found family aspect was especially well done, and I really enjoyed the relationships within the group.
Unfortunately, the execution didn’t always live up to the setup.
My biggest issue was the romance. I loved having such a badass FMC, but there were moments when her behavior within the relationship didn’t feel consistent with the character we’d been shown. That said, the spice was very well written, and the chemistry was definitely there.
There were also some continuity and plot issues that pulled me out of the story. Certain conflicts and resolutions felt too convenient, and the motivations behind some of the characters’ decisions were either inconsistent or not developed enough for me to completely buy into them.
There really is a lot to like here. The world and atmosphere were strong, the found family was great, the spice delivered, and the overall premise had a lot of potential. I just wanted the characters’ motivations and relationships to feel as well developed as the world surrounding them.
A solid three stars. Great concept, atmosphere, found family, and spice, but inconsistent character motivations and a frustrating romance kept it from being something I loved.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author & team for a copy of this ARC!
I really wish Goodreads did half stars. this was a STRONG 3.5⭐️s, but please don't look at that like a bad rating, this was just different than what I'm used to reading, ya girl had to adjust 🤷♀️
I really enjoyed the found family aspect of this story. Andrina held her own and gained the crew's respect, and they all grew a little soft spot for her. plus all the little twists and turns of the plot turned out to be pretty fun. as soon as I thought I had something figured out, Lilith really said "nope!", but I enjoyed being kept on my toes, ESPECIALLY towards the end. truly I think one of the most memorable parts was "two cocks. i have two cocks.". what a way to start a chapter 😂
were there some continuity quirks and plot holes? I won't lie and say no, but don't let it ruin the story or this review for you. there were a few times I had to backtrack and make sure I read something right, or tried making sense of some details that contradicted one another at times, but it wasn't nearly enough to make me stop reading or give up the story altogether. just had to use some context clues and my own imagination at times, but that's the joy of reading fiction, right?
badass Little Mermaid meets Pirates of the Caribbean. I had no clue what to expect going into this, but between the banter, the jokes, the action, and the love story, i was entertained and very happy to have been given a chance to read this book!
I really wish Goodreads did half stars. this was a STRONG 3.5⭐️s, but please don't look at that like a bad rating, this was just different than what I'm used to reading, ya girl had to adjust 🤷♀️
I really enjoyed the found family aspect of this story. Andrina held her own and gained the crew's respect, and they all grew a little soft spot for her. plus all the little twists and turns of the plot turned out to be pretty fun. as soon as I thought I had something figured out, Lilith really said "nope!", but I enjoyed being kept on my toes, ESPECIALLY towards the end. truly I think one of the most memorable parts was "two cocks. i have two cocks.". what a way to start a chapter 😂
were there some continuity quirks and plot holes? I won't lie and say no, but don't let it ruin the story or this review for you. there were a few times I had to backtrack and make sure I read something right, or tried making sense of some details that contradicted one another at times, but it wasn't nearly enough to make me stop reading or give up the story altogether. just had to use some context clues and my own imagination at times, but that's the joy of reading fiction, right?
badass Little Mermaid meets Pirates of the Caribbean. I had no clue what to expect going into this, but between the banter, the jokes, the action, and the love story, i was entertained and very happy to have been given a chance to read this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay, I really enjoyed this one. I went into it expecting to like it, but I ended up being completely sucked into the story. There was just something about the whole dark ocean setting, the curse, and the characters that worked so well for me.
Kael and Andrina were definitely my favorite part. Their relationship was messy, frustrating, and full of tension, but I couldn’t stop reading because I needed to see what was going to happen with them. I loved that they didn’t just instantly fall for each other either.
I also really liked the crew and how they all felt like their own little family. There were funny moments, emotional moments, and plenty of drama to keep things interesting. The story had a little bit of everything, and I never felt bored reading it.
The ending made me really happy too. I finished this one knowing I was going to give it 5 stars. I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something with a dark fantasy setting, romance, spice, and characters that you can actually get attached to.
Kael and Andrina were definitely my favorite part. Their relationship was messy, frustrating, and full of tension, but I couldn’t stop reading because I needed to see what was going to happen with them. I loved that they didn’t just instantly fall for each other either.
I also really liked the crew and how they all felt like their own little family. There were funny moments, emotional moments, and plenty of drama to keep things interesting. The story had a little bit of everything, and I never felt bored reading it.
The ending made me really happy too. I finished this one knowing I was going to give it 5 stars. I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something with a dark fantasy setting, romance, spice, and characters that you can actually get attached to.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was given the opportunity to read an ARC of.this book and I am writing this review voluntarily.
A pirate, a mermaid, an arranged marriage and a curse equate to a gritty, morally gray, dark romantasy with teeth. Although there is a happily ever after, much of the story hinges upon dispair, cruelty and a sense of hopeless desperation that tends to be overwhelming and spirit shattering.
Magical creatures, interesting magic, crew banter as well as a memorable game of truth or dare (Parley or Peril) make for an entertaining read that sucks you in and the addition of a somewhat bored Sea Witch and a jilted ex (or two) keeps you hooked until the end.
A pirate, a mermaid, an arranged marriage and a curse equate to a gritty, morally gray, dark romantasy with teeth. Although there is a happily ever after, much of the story hinges upon dispair, cruelty and a sense of hopeless desperation that tends to be overwhelming and spirit shattering.
Magical creatures, interesting magic, crew banter as well as a memorable game of truth or dare (Parley or Peril) make for an entertaining read that sucks you in and the addition of a somewhat bored Sea Witch and a jilted ex (or two) keeps you hooked until the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This gave me such 90’s/Y2K nostalgia with the Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean vibes mixed with spicy morally black dark romance that pushes the limits and makes you question EVERYTHING! I’ll admit I had to look up quite a bit of words about the sea and different pirate items I wasn’t aware of, like another name for seagulls lol 😂 I’m 34 and know very little about the sea/pirate stuff, so honestly it was fun to keep me involved and learning along the way!
Also the dark romance was hot 🥵 The action kept me guessing and there were a few twists where I genuinely wasn’t sure how things were going to turn out!
Amazing job!! 🏴☠️🖤
Also the dark romance was hot 🥵 The action kept me guessing and there were a few twists where I genuinely wasn’t sure how things were going to turn out!
Amazing job!! 🏴☠️🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a good read. I personally had trouble getting started and staying in the book. This is something I would recommend if you like Sirens and Pirates/Sailors.
What happens when a sea captain under a spell kidnaps a siren? Kael and Andrina start out as captor and captive on a cursed ship. They think she can break Kaels curse upon him. He stole a heart and is paying the price. The journey is the whole point, not the destination. It's funny, exciting, and full of adventure and hilarious banter.
What happens when a sea captain under a spell kidnaps a siren? Kael and Andrina start out as captor and captive on a cursed ship. They think she can break Kaels curse upon him. He stole a heart and is paying the price. The journey is the whole point, not the destination. It's funny, exciting, and full of adventure and hilarious banter.
August 28, 2026
"A dark tale of pirates and mermaids." I couldn't resist!
Kael's fate. Wow!
And Adrina is the only soothing Kael receives.
She could cure him, but, at what cost?
The main characters are complex.
The world Ms. Crowe has these two traversing, fraught with peril!
Wait until you meet Kael's crew! I think you're going to enjoy them immensely. I sure did! LOL!
There is definitely dark, swashbuckling! Take care!
This is my first story by this talented author!
I cannot wait to delve into her backlist and read more!
This was a winner for me!
Kael's fate. Wow!
And Adrina is the only soothing Kael receives.
She could cure him, but, at what cost?
The main characters are complex.
The world Ms. Crowe has these two traversing, fraught with peril!
Wait until you meet Kael's crew! I think you're going to enjoy them immensely. I sure did! LOL!
There is definitely dark, swashbuckling! Take care!
This is my first story by this talented author!
I cannot wait to delve into her backlist and read more!
This was a winner for me!
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